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Arrest Made Over Email Threats Against GOP Candidate (Updated)

by lewwaters

Earlier, I had written a post that I took down, leading some to wonder why I revised it and possibly thinking I was changing information. I said then that the reasons would be revealed shortly. I hope this short post will explain to those who were wondering. The original contained reference to this incident that was premature in releasing on my part as I had mistakenly assumed the man was already arrested.

I received word by phone early this morning that a person, 50 year-old Gary Owen, who had been sending threatening emails to Republican 49th Legislative District candidate Eileen Qutub had been arrested on suspicion of two counts of malicious harassment, a Class C felony.

Owen, obviously not a supporter, indicates extreme anger over receiving a campaign mailer in the mail and instead of just throwing it out, as a sane person would do, sent the following email,

I do not know how you got my name and address but I would rather put a bullet in your stupid pathetic republican c**t brain than vote for you. Being a republican and a woman you have no right ever speaking or having an opinion about anything. Please go kill your pathetic c**t a**!

If you ever send me one more piece of mail I will personally return it by shoving it up your c**t with a hot poker!

You republicans do not care one f***ing bit about people or the rights of others other than christians, and do not lie to me and try and tell me you do.

Of note, the G. Owen is not the Greg Owens that is known to comment here and on the Columbian.

A subsequent email was received by Mrs. Qutub that was even more vile and threatening,

I EMAILED AND TOLD YOU TAKE MY NAME AND ADDRESS OF YOU MAILING YOU STUPID UGLY REPUBLICAN C**T! I WOULD RATHER KILL YOUR C**T A** THAN VOTE FOR YOU! I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND SHOVE YOUR SPAM JUNK MAIL FLYER UP YOU’RE A** WITH HOT POKER!

F**K OF C**T!

NO I AM NOT AFRAID OF PUTTING MY INFO ON HERE. TAKE IT OFF YOU MAILING LIST NOW C**T!

GARY OWEN
1114 E 37TH ST
VANCOUVER, WA

Asked about the emails, Mrs. Qutub said, “It is one thing to exercise free (political) speech, which I wholeheartedly endorse, however, this is not political speech…this is vile, perverted, angry threats and has NO place in political dialog.”

I am left to recall a similar incident a few years ago where a campaign mailer/survey was received in the mail by a retired Democrat couple that made front page news in the Columbian’s Local Section, hereand here.

The emails from Gary Owen are even more vitriolic and over the top and completely uncalled for.

Qutub is right as she adds, “this isn’t the ‘silly season’ this is the ‘mean season’.”

There is no excuse for such vitriolic outbursts over a simple piece of paper. It doesn’t matter where you fall in your political beliefs, such over the top threats and rhetoric has no place in society.

Owen, who claims to be a liberal, is an example of those who have demanded “tolerance” and “civility” while returning hateful, sexist threats against a Republican woman.

This must stop if we are to survive as a viable country.

Tone it down, people. The psychopaths don’t need any more fuel than they already have.

35 Responses to “Arrest Made Over Email Threats Against GOP Candidate (Updated)”

I am so glad he was arrested. When I learned of this I encouraged her to file the complaint because it is sooo over the top in its threatening tone. I was really concerned that a psycho who didn’t get the adequate response or reaction might take further steps to ensure he got his rocks off. I am now relieved. Thanks for posting it Lew.

As a Rebuplican myself and a man that hates the free speech allowed to these liberal queers, but not to a man that fought for his country and prays to our one true god. It is apparent that again that our nation is going down the drain. I hope this unamerican P.O.S. rots in a cell for his use free liberal thinking. It threatens us not only as a Nation but as a people to allow a man such as Gary Owen to speak his mind in such a graphic manner. There is a reason these queers should be stopped and not just because it says so in The Word of our Lord..

I was in Hon. Judge Wulle’s court room yesterday morning (August 10, 2012) for Mr. Owen’s arraignment. He will continue to be held in the Clark CountyJail until next Friday morning (August 17, 2012), where if he can meet the contingencies set forth by Judge Wulle – and if someone posts bail for him – he will be released.

“…threats are rarely spoken from a position of power. Whatever power they have is derived from the fear instilled in the victim, for fear is the currency of the threatener. He gains advantage through [the victims] uncertainty, but once the words are spoken, [the threatener] must retreat or advance and, like all people he hopes to retain dignity through either course.” -Gavin de Becker “The Gift of Fear” pp 129.

Eileen calmly responded by taking action and reporting this mans vulgar and discriminatory threats to The Clark County Sherrif’s office. I will be in Hon. Judge Wulle’s court room again Friday morning. I pray Mr. Owen’s takes this time he has afforded himself (behaind bars) and something positive comes of it all.

By the way Mr. Owen, recycling is an excellent way to dispose of unwanted mail – you can lesson your carbon footprint and keep yourself out of jail.

Really? You guys are going there? Two wrongs definitely don’t make a right and I think it is way out of line and none of your business to be posting personal info. Do you have nothing better to do?? Apparently so…. If you want people to vote for your party you definitely have shown your true colors and have screwed yourselves here, you’ve have indeed lived up to the Republican stereotype, way to go guys!! You are judging someone based on photos? If you believe in God you should know “Thou shall not judge” shame on you!!!!

You leave a comment as highly judgmental as yours, then end it with “Thou Shalt Not Judge?”

Oh, the sweet irony in your words.

By the way, what is posted here is from PUBLIC information that he placed in the public. Nothing secret was ferreted out. In fact, he is who gave his own home address out and admitted to sending the threats in email, a Class C Felony in this state.

The post addresses his threats, not his publicly posted photos.

But, typical way we have come to expect “you guys” to try to defend the indefensible.

How did I judge? I simply stated that your actions were out of line, I’m not judging you as a person, simply stating that your actions speak for themselves and I feel that it is unfair to slander people the way that you do. “Them”, really? I don’t side with any party. Even if these things you can find in a google search what good are you creating by posting personal info? I hate how there are all these “lines” drawn between parties, really? The way that politics are nowadays would leave our founding fathers rolling in their grave. No hope for our country when the two “sides” are fighting like this….

“you guys” , “them” same difference, I am not a member of a political party and am glad I am not. I am saying that even if this stuff is public do you think it is right to go hunt it down and post it here? What do you gain from that? You also responded to a comment about being civil to eachother and you responded that it is a lost art. If it is a lost art, are you being civil by posting his info and photos? It’s like it’s a game, someone’s personal life is not a game. I love how you laugh at people’s opinions. Do you think that your opinion is the only “right” one, just wondering… I will end this here as in your eyes you will always be “right” and I will always be wrong, not worth any more of my time…..

So, what is your problem with “them” or “you guys?” You brought them in to the discussion.

Uh, your efforts to defend such a loser is very obvious. Why is another matter known but to you.

You have been treated civilly even though you can in complaining and disparaging a group you now claim to be no part of, on either side.

Once you break the law and find yourself buried in the system, facing prosecution, there is little private life left. It’s all a matter of public record.

But I wonder if your condemnation applies to the biased newspapers as well? Or do you think that people who work to counter the bias of today’s so called news agencies should just sit down, shut-up and accept whatever swill is thrown out, just as long as it agrees with an ideology you agree with?

Funny that you can say someone’s personal life is not a game, but have no problem with this jerk sending threats into someone elses private life.

If I felt my opinion to be the only “right one,” you wouldn’t be allowed to comment here, would you?

Nice try, Dawn, but you have exposed yourself as just another judgmental liberal/progressive.

I love how you separate by saying ya’ll and “you guys” , like I said you do not know me 🙂 If you did you would be surprised to see where I stand on certain issues and there are many women who are Republicans in my family so you are way off on your assumptions. Drawing party lines when we are all in this thing together. I never spoke of Gary Owen’s actions, never defended them. Never even brought his actions up. The simple issue is you posting personal information. I do not see any news station be it fox or cnn or local, or any newspaper posting people’s personal information regardless of the issue at hand. Sure it is public and anyone can do a search on it , but that being the case why do you think newspapers and news stations refrain from doing just that?

By the way, if you will look a gain, “you guys” is always in quotation marks. Maybe it escapes you that I am simply quoting your own words back to you?

As for “ya’ll,” if you actually read anything here, you would know that I am a Southerner and that’s just how we speak.

As for the rest of your rant, in all of the successive comments, you have yet to condemn what Gary Owen admitted to doing. No, your only condemnation is against anybody revealing and covering what he did.

That, my dear, is tacit approval, your inability to condemn the act he admitted to while condemning only those who speak out about it.

It also shows that in spite of all of your denials, you are as partisan as they come.

I have been checking the Jail roster daily, and noticed that Mr. Owen was no longer listed in custody as of yesterday. I called the CCSO custody line this morning- and they said he was released on August 14, with no other explanation.

I telephoned Eileen this morning – she had not been notified of his release.

I continue to monitor the daily court dockets – but have/do not see Mr. Owen listed.

I think it prudent there be some investigation into this matter – in the pubic’s best interest. Clearly, Mr. Owen needs some help with directing his inner frustration – and Eileen, being the victim, as well as the public, have a right to be informed.

As you know, Mr. Owen is accused of (and admitted to) sending two threatening, sexually graphic emails to Washington State GOP Senate Candidate, Eileen Qutub, after receiving her campaign mailings. He is charged with two counts of malicious harassment (a Class C Felony) and cyberstalking (a misdemeanor).

Mr. Owen’s emails included: “Being a Republican and a woman you have no right ever speaking or having an opinion about anything.”

What is so unsettling to me is the fact that there has been no mention of a “no contact” order or an “anti-harrasment” order, by the prosecutor, to protect his intended victim! His victim could have been ANY WOMAN! He obviously has real rage and contempt for women as a race. It disgusts me that our culture has yet to shift the spotlight of shame from the victim to the perpetrator.

I arrived at Judge Wulles’ court, for Mr. Owne’s arraignment, yesterday, Friday, August 17, 2012, at 1:20pm. His attorney, Alexander Hamilton, didn’t arrive until 2:30pm, and at 3:00pm, Mr. Owen’s case was called in front of Judge Wulle.

Mr. Hamilton was set to enter a “not-guilty” plea on behalf of Mr. Owen, but soon retracted that plea – after Judge Wulle informed him that today was Mr. Owen’s “arraignment”.
Mr. Hamilton appeared confused, and stated, “I know very little about the case, as I was retained by Mr. Owen just last night.” He went on to say that he needed more time to review police reports, to learn the extent of the investigation, and the allegations, before allowing Mr. Owen to enter a plea and move forward to trial-setting.

Judge Wulle set a third arraignment for Mr. Owen for Thursday, Aug 23, 2012, at 9am.

This dude seems like a 50 year old gay dude that’s tired of getting junk mail from a party that he thinks attacks his way of life. I’m not saying what he did was right. In fact he went about it really wrong. There are obviously way healthier ways to express frustration. I’m glad they checked in to it, they should have. Especially with the rash of crazy shootings lately. But, realistically if he sent this email to one of us working shlubs no one would give a crap. When it turns out he was/is all bark and no bite let him go, there’s better way to spend tax dollars.

Also, just curious how do think people would react if they started getting mail from a political party basically saying:

Being Christian is a choice. Christian marriage is wrong. I believe that if you were married anywhere but in a court it should be nullified. Marriage is a legal contract. Church and state, as well as law need to be separate. There is no magic man in the sky, therefor being Christian is wrong, it says so in science books. Marriage is not about love.

Lew,
Update on this case. Mr. Owen was arraigned on Thursday, August 23. He pled NOT guilty. His trial is set for October 31, 2012. He is free on bail.

@ J.C. – you say “But, realistically if he sent this email to one of us working shlubs no one would give a crap.” This is so not true. What he did is a Felony – and he or anyone else using this would be held accountable.

In Mr. Owen’s first email he wrote: “Being a republican and a woman you have no right ever speaking or having an opinion about anything.” This was not just a written threat toward a member of a political party running for a Washington State Senate seat – this was a threat directed at her because she is a woman as well!

As I have stated previously, our culture must shift the spotlight of shame from the victim to the perpetrator.

Lew,
Update on the Gary Owen Case. Mr. Owen is set to be in Judge Stahnke’s court room at 1:30 today, to plead guilty to “harassment,” a misdemeanor. I will be in the courtroom, and will follow up with you!

The Columbian’s report on today’s “guilty plea” of Gary Owen, was an average report at best.
I was there.

Eileen was composed and awe-inspiring, while (for the first time) standing less than 2 feet away from the man who threatened her life (when requested to come forward to Judge Stahnke’s bench to give her victim impact statement).
She was prepared with both mailings that Mr. Owen received within the three week span in July and August of this year… and IN MY ABSOLUTE DISBELIEF – this was the first time His Honor had viewed and read the multiple vulgar, implicitly sexual, unquestionably repugnant, death threats made toward Eileen.

Judge Stahnke expressed disgust after reading over the two emails that Mr. Owen sent.

“You said you are pretty passionate about politics?” Judge Stahnke asked. “This is passionate politics?” (referring to the vile emails Mr. Owen sent).
“It was out of line,” Mr. Owen replied. “It was a moment of anger.”
“IT IS SO FAR OUT OF LINE.” Judge Stahnke replied.
His Honor also pointed out that the two emails were sent over two weeks apart, indicating it appeared to Him that it was more than just a “moment of anger”. His Honor also indicated his concern that Mr. Owen had a deeper anger problem and reproached Mr. Owen to be careful when expressing his political views in the future.

“I do not know how you got my name and address but I would rather put a bullet in your stupid pathetic republican c**t brain than vote for you. Being a republican and a woman you have no right ever speaking or having an opinion about anything. Please go kill your pathetic c**t a**!
If you ever send me one more piece of mail I will personally return it by shoving it up your c**t with a hot poker!
You republicans do not care one f***ing bit about people or the rights of others other than christians, and do not lie to me and try and tell me you do.”

“I EMAILED AND TOLD YOU TAKE MY NAME AND ADDRESS OF YOU MAILING YOU STUPID UGLY REPUBLICAN C**T! I WOULD RATHER KILL YOUR C**T A** THAN VOTE FOR YOU! I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND SHOVE YOUR SPAM JUNK MAIL FLYER UP YOU’RE A** WITH HOT POKER!

F**K OF C**T!

NO I AM NOT AFRAID OF PUTTING MY INFO ON HERE. TAKE IT OFF YOU MAILING LIST NOW C**T!

GARY OWEN
1114 E 37TH ST
VANCOUVER, WA”

As I have stated previously, our culture must shift the spotlight of shame from the victim to the perpetrator.

Mr. Owen pled guilty to harassment, a gross misdemeanor, and received (as you surmised Lew), a slap on the hand, 30 or so days on a jail work crew, two years probation, and was court ordered to not contact Eileen for two years.